UNH's Marchand has imperative question for state's businesses

DURHAM — In his new job as the director of corporate relations at the University of New Hampshire, Steve Marchand said it's imperative that he asks a simple yet vital question to the state's business community — what can UNH do for you?

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By Michael McCord

seacoastonline.com

By Michael McCord

Posted Jan. 30, 2012 at 2:00 AM

By Michael McCord

Posted Jan. 30, 2012 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

DURHAM — In his new job as the director of corporate relations at the University of New Hampshire, Steve Marchand said it's imperative that he asks a simple yet vital question to the state's business community — what can UNH do for you?

"My primary role is a conduit and to build long-term relationships," said Marchand, a former mayor of Portsmouth who assumed his new post earlier this month.

He said UNH not only "has a great story to tell" but a critical role to play in the state's long-term economic development.

"UNH is at the intersection of world-class outcomes and developing a culture of entrepreneurism," he said.

In an era of declining state aid for the state's flagship academic institution, Marchand's new job is the latest step at the university to remake itself in the 21st century and to further integrate its education priorities into a powerful economic development engine. In the past few years alone, UNH has increased its entrepreneurial presence with initiatives such as the New Hampshire Innovation Commercialization Center incubator, the Green Launching Pad and the Office of Research Partnerships and Commercialization.

Jan Nisbet, senior vice provost for research at the school, said last month that "UNH can and should be the primary engine for sustainable economic growth in the state and it was identified in the university's 10-year strategic plan as a top priority."

Marchand's work, Nisbet said "will allow us to continue to build strong relationships with the private sector that will create jobs, support research partnerships, encourage a more entrepreneurial spirit throughout the state, and provide our students with a world-class education."

Marchand said his new role combines two passions — education and entrepreneurialism — and a strong belief that "the future success of New Hampshire's economy is closely linked to the future success of UNH." He has spent his first weeks on the job getting to know the various development sectors on the campus and he has come away deeply impressed by the depth and breadth of what he has seen and learned from researchers and students who are getting real work experience that increases the value of their education.

"We have the kinds of cutting-edge research and development to add to the economic development engine in the region and beyond," Marchand said of the schools of engineering and business and the InterOperability Laboratory, which has a global reputation for data network testing and development.

"One of the exciting parts of my job is that there are remarkable people doing remarkable things at UNH," Marchand said. The important link, he added, is to connect the talent and energy at the university with the needs of the state's diverse private sector. The school "is an asset with tremendous sales value," he said.

Marchand's main task is not to raise funds but to make connections with businesses large and small across the region and state. He plans to ask business owners and leaders to consider current and future needs and how UNH can help create a talent pipeline and maximize economic development opportunities.

"It's important for me to listen and identify those places where our cutting-edge technologies can make a difference," he said. "We need a proactive outreach to the private sector because they feel the economic pulse and create the jobs. It's important for UNH to reach now with questions rather than answers."

In particular, Marchand wants to find out the perspective of business owners who can look five to 10 years ahead and see "what are the skill sets needed" to succeed in a marketplace almost guaranteed to become even more globally competitive.